Key facts and transportation to Kristiansand

This is Kristiansand city and region

Kristiansand is the largest city in the southernmost part of Norway and a favourite destination for Norwegians on family holiday.

Kristiansand has 112.000 inhabitants (2020). It’s the largest city in the southernmost part of Southern Norway ("Sørlandet" in Norwegian).
Kristiansand (historically Christianssand) was founded in 1641. It’s situated on the very south coast of Norway, facing the European continent and surrounded by water on three sides.
Tourism is important in Kristiansand, and the summer season is the most popular for tourists. Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement park is the largest zoo in Norway. It receives over 1 million visitors every year.
There are five municipalities in the Kristiansand region: Kristiansand, Vennesla, Iveland, Birkenes and Lillesand.

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Getting here

Getting to Kristiansand in Southern Norway by plane, train, bus and ferry. Kristiansand is the communications centre in Southern Norway. It has extensive train, bus, ferry and plane links with the rest of Norway and abroad.

By train

The railway line's route is Oslo - Kristiansand - Stavanger with numerous train stations to stop at along the way and several daily departures. Tickets at www.vy.no.

By bus

There are daily buses departing from Stavanger and Oslo heading for Southern Norway and Kristiansand. Local buses between towns is available on akt.no and make it possible to use public transportation throughout your holiday.

The airport bus at Kjevik is also operated by akt.no. See information about bus and taxi from Kjevik Airport.

By air

Kristiansand lufthavn (airport) Kjevik is situated 17 kilometres east from the city centre and has good worldwide connections with daily flights. SAS, Widerøe and Norwegian have arrivals from Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger and Trondheim.

There are direct international arrivals to Kristiansand from Copenhagen, Amsterdam, London and Gdansk. You will also find four car rental firms based at Kristiansand Airport Kjevik. See information about bus and taxi to and from Kristiansand Kjevik Airport.

By boat

The port of Kristiansand is the second largest in Norway. The ferry company Color Line has daily sailings to and from the town Hirtshals in Denmark. Fjord Line sails in the summer season

Tourist information in Kristiansand

Kristiansand turistinformasjon (tourist office) is located at Rådhusgaten 18, at the town square. The office provides useful information on what to see and do and where to stay in the city and surrounding area. Open all year.

Phone: +47 38 07 50 00 / Email: turistinformasjon@kristiansand.kommune.no